Juneteenth Is

by Natasha Tripplett, Daniel J. O'Brien (Illustrator)

An intimate look at Juneteenth, this story is a warm look at a family and a community. 

Juneteenth is the smell of brisket filling the air. Juneteenth is the sounds of music, dancing, and cheering ringing from the parade outside. It is love. It is prayer. It is friends and relatives coming together to commemorate freedom, hope for tomorrow, and one another.

This book is an ode to the history of the Black community in the United States, a tribute to Black joy, and a portrait of familial love. With poignant text and vivid illustrations, Juneteenth Is offers a window and a mirror for readers, resonating with kids who will see themselves reflected in its pages and those who hope to understand experiences beyond their own.

CELEBRATES BLACK At its root, this is a story of family and community. Vibrant illustrations capture the warmth and unity of Black families and Black communities in a portrait of beautiful joy.

REMEMBERING A Both a story of celebration and a commemoration of freedom, this book honors a past of struggle, resilience, and triumph. It recognizes Juneteenth not just as a holiday but as a cultural legacy. An author’s note also explains the significance of the color red to Juneteenth—its use as a symbol of African American endurance and the ways Black communities weave the color into modern-day celebrations through food and clothing.

BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN Juneteenth marks an undeniable truth of American history and remains a cultural touchstone for many Black Americans, making it important for all Americans to understand. Much-needed in this time of growing representation and discussion about equity and social justice, this book is a strong resource for parents and educators seeking to introduce Black history and encourage respectful conversations.

Perfect

Genres: Picture Books, History, Holiday, Family, African American, Childrens, Social Justice

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Natasha Tripplett and this book was EVERYTHING. It’s such a perfect way to explain the meaning of Juneteenth to a younger audience.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning more about why the color red is so prominent in Juneteenth celebrations. This book was fantastic. The author's note also gave really good insights on how to discuss the meaning of the color red. It was a fun book. It also worked really well for preschool story time. The illustrations are amazing! I love seeing all the intergenerational relationships being depicted!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A heartfelt story, fantastically told. This joyful picture book depicts the celebration of Juneteenth, highlights the symbolism used, and emphasizes Juneteenth's historical significance.

Well-written, heartwarming, and hopeful. Join a family on a sensory experience as they come together to celebrate Juneteenth and remember their history. The story highlights the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and feel of the celebrations. The book combines the joyful celebration of parades, food, and time with family along with the remembrance of historical events, ancestorial connections, and the continued efforts to achieve equality.

I love how detailed the illustrations are. Each character has their own personality and backstory. The main character's father has a hearing aid and a prosthetic leg. In one of the photographs on the wall, we see him receiving a purple heart from President Obama. Details like these really flesh out the family featured in the story.

I also loved all the historical figures included in the illustrations such as Ruby Bridges, Shirley Chisholm, a protester from the Memphis sanitation strike, and so many more.

At the back of the book is a note about the significance of the color red in Juneteenth celebrations.

A fantastic story celebrating freedom, family, bravery, and strength.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

On June 19, 1865, General Granger stated, “Slaves are free!” The Black community continues to celebrate their freedoms and recognize the great strides of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr, President Obama, and others.

Juneteenth is wearing, eating, and drinking the color red to symbolize the bloodshed and anguish experienced by the enslaved people. Juneteenth is family and communities coming together to share food, music, dancing, and laughter. Juneteenth is also a time to remember those family members whose lives were maybe not as easy and who worked hard to earn the freedoms experienced today.

This book is a full-day celebration of Juneteenth. The illustrations show a whole family, young and old, along with their neighborhood, celebrating together, enjoying delicious food, and dancing along to the music. Juneteenth is an important celebration of history as well as excitement for the future. This book explains the history of Juneteenth and the meaning behind the celebration in a way that a child will understand why June 19 and Black history are part of our American history.

[Nilwona Nowlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an adult, I enjoy reading children's books that I wish had existed during my childhood in the 70s and 80s. Natasha Triplett's "Juneteenth Is" is one of those books! The combination of vibrant colors, descriptive words, and an engaging story is a feast for the senses. I can taste, smell, hear, and feel this book, partly because it reminds me of many of my own experiences. But "Juneteenth Is" is a book that can be enjoyed by children and families from any ethnic background because it's not just about pretty pictures. It teaches the history of this holiday that has been hidden in plain sight for too many years. Triplett beautifully reminds us that Juneteenth is U.S. history.

[Marie Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha Triplett's delightful sensory descriptions of Juneteenth create a warm community celebration to commemorate this important historical event. The themes of unity, gratitude, and jubilee are shown through the eyes of a child as she observes the sights, tastes, and sounds surrounding this holiday that make this relatable for kids. I love the intergenerational relationships illustrated in each spread of the family gathering as the child learns about her heritage. The significance of the symbolic colors of Juneteenth are explained in poetic ways that help affirm and deepen understanding of this history. The colorful illustrations complement the text beautifully. Highly recommend!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of families coming together to celebrate each other and of Black joy on a day of celebration, but it’s also a story of the holiday which celebrates the lives of people in the past who made this holiday special.

The rich, uplifting illustrations in this joyful story introduces us to an extended family and friends who come together to celebrate Juneteenth. The day begins with a parade of bands, dancers and candy being tossed to the cheering crowd. Then everyone moves on to Granddaddy’s house to begin the feasting, the games and the history lessons about the true meaning of Juneteenth. This is a story for everyone and deserves a place in your family library.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a family gathers to celebrate all the sights, sounds, and delicious tastes engendered by this unique holiday, Granddaddy tells the youngest members of the sad facts that led to the first Juneteenth parade.

This book is the perfect marriage of fictional story and historical fact. Daniel J. O'Brien's colorful illustrations are the icing on the red velvet cake.

[Michelle Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a stunningly illustrated and poignant book. With lyrical prose, Natasha Tripplett weaves a story that integrates the history of Juneteenth seamlessly with the Black joy and traditions that the main character celebrates with her family. Daniel J. O'Brien's illustrations are vibrant and vivid, full of details that capture all the complex emotions the main character experiences, from happiness at watching the parade to sadness when her granddad recalls enslaved ancestors who lost their lives. This book should be staple in school and library settings.

[Samantha Cleaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juneteenth Is is a must-read for any American child. The narrative puts Juneteenth in a modern context that’s easy for kids to connect with through themes of family and celebration, while teaching a “history lesson not taught in school” through details in the text and illustration. Highly recommend for kids age 5-8, or even older if they are new to Juneteenth. This is a great example of a book that's a mirror for many kids, and a window for others depending on their experiences and exposure to Juneteenth.

[Colleen Kong-savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

JUNETEENTH IS strikes a perfect balance between celebration and remembrance. It acknowledges our progress in African-American civil rights and the work and suffering that preceded the progress. I like that the book is a personal experience of Juneteenth vs a straight nonfiction educational read. This is a great introduction to an American holiday which only recently shifted into mainstream consciousness.

[Marie Hermansson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett teaches about a truly American holiday. A story about history, culture, community, celebration, family and ultimately about love. It is also a story about remembering, joy and promise. The beautiful illustrations invite the reader into the family and to celebrate, one can almost smell the delicious food! Every classroom should have a copy of this book so that every child can learn what Juneteenth Is.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: A large extended family celebrates Juneteenth by displaying black, red, and green flags, enjoying music and food, and Granddaddy teaching and remembering with the grandchildren.

Comments: The illustrations were created using digital tools. I appreciated the emotions and expressions on the family's faces as they celebrated throughout the day.

There is a section in the back that explains the significance of the color red for the holiday.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Ashley Belote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juneteenth Is presents readers with a lovely look at celebratory traditions affiliated with this holiday. The engaging narrative follows a family as they celebrate together, and brings readers right into the story. The personal aspect of this story is quite endearing and balances well with the historical legacy and significance of the day. The art echos the traditional aspect of the narrative, and provides readers with a true sense of joy.

[The Academic Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met the author and illustrator of this work, I believe I have a deeper insight into this story. It is such a nostalgic and heart-warming tale. I believe it is great for all ages. This is a necessary read for persons of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy and appreciate the richness of this family-oriented holiday for African Americans.

[Estrela Lourenço · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous book brings us to the essence of what the celebrations of Juneteenth are all about. What a child today will experience with all their six senses to the explanations why the color red is so prominent on this date - this book brings us back to the first marches walked by new free people once enslaved, to the celebration parades that take place nowadays. I highly reccomend it !

[Traci Huahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told through a child’s eyes, this book does a beautiful job of inviting young readers to experience the food, family, and fun of Juneteenth, while powerfully conveying the historic legacy and injustice behind it – showing us in kid-friendly words and vivid imagery why this is an important holiday that all Americans should honor and celebrate.

[Dorina Gilmore-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious and delightful invitation into Juneteenth, Natasha Tripplett invites us to be a part of the holiday with our five senses. These words make us sing, dance, march, and even taste the power of Juneteenth. I couldn't help tapping my toes and licking my lips as I made my way through Natasha's vivid prose. We will make reading this book a Juneteenth tradition!

[Ronda Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an energetic and lively adventure through the importance and celebration of Juneteenth. It is an invitation into the colorful world of family gatherings and generational resilience. The depiction of community, music, food, language, and lessons of hope is a resounding reminder that Black joy is revolutionary. Juneteenth is freedom.

[Kelly Rice Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

With lush text and vibrant, lively art JUNETEETH IS lives up to the name! It celebrates the joys of the holiday — favorite DELICIOUS foods shared with family, games, parades— and also delicately acknowledges the harsh reality of the past that lead to the reason for this holiday. A wonderful reflection on or introduction to an important holiday. Highly recommend!

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was trying to explain to the kids what Juneteenth is and I think this book does a great job explaining the holiday and it's significance in a way that young children can understand. It also details the traditions surrounding the celebration. This was a great conversation starter and we'll be able to expand on it when they get older.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tripplett offers readers a look at one family's celebration of Juneteenth. We follow them through their day as they remember the past and celebrate in the present. The illustrations capture the joy of being together and honoring those who came before. Informative text at the end explains more about this remembrance day.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly written and gloriously illustrated, this is a comfortable, excellent, rich and personal introduction and orientation to what Juneteenth means to a community. May Juneteenth be a universal observance and celebration for reflection, understanding and confronting history, and moving forward with intention, awareness, joy and respect for all of us.

[Elena Limoges · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and powerful book that weaves together history, legacy, and family through the celebration of Juneteenth. This book holds an invitation and an education. I am so glad to get to share this story with my children.

[Chante Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book creatively interweaves the sorrow of slavery with the sweetness of freedom. Tripplett seamlessly showcases how African Americans commemorate this national holiday with truth, food, and laughter. This book is one kids and adults alike will love!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best contemporary Juneteenth picture book I've read so far. I am very impressed with the vivid sensory details, sense of celebration, and poignant historical reflections that the author weaves into the story, and the illustrations are lovely.

[Kimberly Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration for the senses, this book takes the reader right into the smells, tastes, sights, and history of this holiday. Beautiful, informative writing is paired with bright, engaging illustrations sure to teach and delight young and old alike.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely story about all the beautiful facets of a community's Juneteenth celebration is stunning. It would make the perfect gift and at the same time is an important window and entryway into the holiday for those who are less familiar with how it's celebrated. Bravo! It's beautiful!

[Rebecca Detrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful beautiful story is itself a celebration. My heart leapt to my throat on the second page as they walk out to join the “jubilee”. A jubilee, indeed. This book is for all ages and stages, races and creeds. Loved it.

[Avani Dwivedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that beautifully celebrates culture and community. The illustrations are dynamic and they attract you right into the story. I love how the story binds the tradition of Juneteenth celebrations with the day's history. A must-read for everyone